Registering and titling a vehicle in Arizona: new residents, purchases and renewals

How to title and register a vehicle in Arizona after buying it from a dealer or private seller or moving from another state, plus emissions testing, insurance, renewal options and plates, from ADOT MVD.

Guide · Arizona · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In Arizona, vehicles are titled and registered by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the same agency that issues driver licenses. You can do this at an MVD office, at an Authorized Third Party provider, at a dealership when you buy there, and for many tasks online at AZ MVD Now. This guide covers buying a vehicle, moving to Arizona, renewing and plates.

Where to go

• MVD offices, listed on ADOT's hours and locations page.
• Authorized Third Party providers: private companies that ADOT authorizes to handle title and registration. ADOT says they may charge a convenience fee in addition to state fees.
• AZ MVD Now (azmvdnow.gov), for renewals, eTitle transfers, title replacement, specialty plates and other services.
• Arizona dealerships, which title and register a vehicle when you buy it there.

For offices near you, see the Arizona MVD office list on this site.

Titles are electronic

ADOT says that when you title or register a vehicle in Arizona, the title is stored electronically and you no longer get a paper title automatically. The same applies when you pay off a loan. You can view your title information in your AZ MVD Now account. If you need a paper title, the owner of record can request one through the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. You can also apply by mail on Form 96-0236. The fee is $4 either way, and ADOT says to allow up to six weeks for a mailed request.

Buying a vehicle

ADOT says Arizona law requires you to apply for a title within 15 days of purchase. A vehicle is usually registered at the same time it is titled.

From an Arizona dealership. Whether the vehicle is new or used, you title and register it at the dealership.

From a private seller. Some titles can be transferred online with eTitle Transfer on AZ MVD Now, which registers the vehicle in the same process. If the vehicle does not qualify, go to an MVD office or Third Party location with:

• A completed, signed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
• The current title signed by the seller, or a Title Transfer Bill of Sale (Form 38-1306, for Arizona-titled vehicles only)
• A lien release, if there is one
• An emissions test, if one is required
• Payment of the fees

ADOT notes that the vehicle's old registration ends when ownership changes, so you need a temporary permit to drive until it is registered. Fees depend on the vehicle's type, age and value. They can include vehicle license tax, a registration fee and an air quality fee.

When you sell a vehicle, ADOT says to complete a sold notice right away. You may also be able to get credit for vehicle license tax you already paid.

Moving to Arizona

ADOT says you must register a vehicle brought from another state as soon as you become an Arizona resident, and that you need to visit an office to do it. The Arizona driver license guide explains when you count as a resident. Bring:

• A completed, signed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
• The out-of-state title, or the registration if a lienholder holds the title
• An emissions compliance form, in the Phoenix and Tucson areas only
• A lien clearance, if applicable
• A power of attorney from the lessor, original or certified copy, if the vehicle is leased
• Payment of the title and registration fees

Emissions testing

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality runs the emissions program. ADOT says testing is required in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, including if you commute into them. Requirements depend on the vehicle's type, model year, fuel and weight. A vehicle in a testing area is probably exempt if it is:

• Five years old or less
• A 1966 model year or older
• An electric vehicle

Get the test done before you visit MVD. Results are sent to MVD electronically. A vehicle cannot pass while its check engine light is on.

Insurance

ADOT says every vehicle driven on Arizona roads must have Arizona liability insurance from a company authorized to do business in Arizona. That includes golf carts, motorcycles and mopeds.

Renewing your registration

ADOT says renewal can almost always be done online at AZ MVD Now, and you do not need a renewal notice. Most vehicles can be registered for one, two or five years, depending on emissions requirements. Some registrations are due on the last day of the month and others on the 15th, so check your notice or current registration.

Other ways to renew:

• The automated phone system at 1.888.713.3031
• Cash at a CheckFreePay location in Arizona
• An MVD or Third Party office
• By mail, with a check or money order made out to "Motor Vehicle Division" and your plate number written on the check, sent to Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, PO Box 29008, Phoenix, AZ 85038

If your vehicle needs an emissions test, you can renew up to 90 days before expiration; otherwise up to six months before. Registration documents and plate tabs are always mailed, not handed out at offices. A late renewal costs $8, plus $4 for each month it is overdue, up to $100. MVD tries to remind you by mail or email 45 days before the due date. You are responsible for renewing on time even if no reminder arrives.

License plates

• Standard plates cost nothing extra.
• Specialty plates cost an extra $25 initially and every year. Personalizing one adds another $25. More than 100 designs support Arizona charities.
• Personalized plates cost an extra $25 a year.
• How to order: on AZ MVD Now, at an MVD or Third Party location, or by mail. Processing can take up to four weeks. Keep your current plate until the new one arrives.
• Replacement: $5. A damaged plate is replaced with the same characters. A lost or stolen plate gets new ones. Report a stolen plate to local police first.

For what to bring and how to pay at an office, see the Arizona MVD visit guide.